The findings, derived from the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), reveal that women who engage in sexual activity less than once a week face a 70% higher risk of death than their more sexually active counterparts.
In a recent groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Psychosexual Health, researchers have uncovered a startling connection between sexual frequency and mortality. The findings, derived from the 2005-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), reveal that women who engage in sexual activity less than once a week face a 70% higher risk of death than their more sexually active counterparts. Furthermore, individuals grappling with depression who have sex rarely were found to have a staggering 197% increased risk of dying, compared to those who maintain a weekly sexual routine.
The science behind these revelations is clear: frequent sex offers a host of health advantages. From releasing mood-enhancing endorphins and oxytocin to bolstering the immune system, the benefits of regular intimacy extend far beyond the bedroom. "In an ethnically diverse population, we found that low sexual frequency can lead to three times increased overall mortality, even after controlling for health and demographic factors," the study's authors explain. This highlights the critical importance of sex for maintaining cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, and promoting relaxation.
Sexual activity also encourages better sleep quality through the release of prolactin—a hormone known to foster relaxation. These biological reactions underscore how intimacy plays a pivotal role in overall well-being. The evidence further supports previous studies, which suggested that while having sex more than once a week doesn't necessarily provide additional health benefits, there is a significant gap in well-being between individuals having weekly sex and those who engage in it less frequently.
Adding to the wealth of knowledge on the subject, the research conducted by Srikanta Banerjee and his team focused on all-cause mortality—the likelihood of death from any cause—through data from NHANES. Their extensive study included a sample of over 14,000 U.S. adults aged 20 to 59, with results analyzed over a follow-up period extending to 2015.
Notably, the data revealed a complex interplay between depression and low sexual frequency. Among participants with depression who had sex less than once per week, the risk of death was nearly tripled. Banerjee and his colleagues emphasize the role that sex may play in reducing heart rate variability, improving blood circulation, and mitigating inflammation—all vital components of cardiovascular health.
While these findings offer a fascinating look into the life-saving potential of sexual activity, the authors caution that correlation does not imply causation. It remains possible that individuals with poorer health engage in sex less frequently, rather than the other way around. Moreover, the study did not explore additional factors like sexual satisfaction or relationship quality, which could also contribute significantly to overall well-being.
The study titled “Connection Between Depression, Sexual Frequency, and All-Cause Mortality: Findings from a Nationally Representative Study” encourages future research into the broader implications of sexual health and its myriad influences on our lives.
Sex in India: What data shows
If your first sexual encounter happened after you crossed 30, you belong to a small minority in India. Among Indians who have sex, more than 90% had their first sexual intercourse before reaching the age of 30, according to data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), a large-scale nationally representative survey conducted in 2015-16.
Men are mostly likely to have had their first sexual intercourse at the age of 20-24, the data shows. For women, the peak age at first sex is lower at 15-19.
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